My friends tell me I look mean now that I shave my head, so I make a point to give people a smile if they make eye contact with me.
In regards to the work world, I get much more respect now than I did when I had hair. Except for one instance in Texas I've had really positive reactions in the workforce.
What about you other guys?
if you smile and let your eyes shine through, your natural kindness will shine through.....Here's the ultimate beauty of being bald.  You transcend age gaps.
you smile, and they go like "phew, I'm so glad he's a nice guy. Yeah...he's nice! I like him"....the affinity they have for you...that couldn't be achieved if you had hair...A bald man can win a lot of points when he smiles - an advantage over people with hair...
I know not everyone here wears a suit to work, but I always get a different reaction when I wear one. With my shaved head they look at me like I'm in secret service. Happen when anyone else wears suits?
I think it actually gives people one LESS thing to make assumptions on, and that is the thing that bothers some people. They find it harder to put you in a stereotype. I mean...all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors of people can can go with the bald head. Think of all the hair looks that actually DO get you stereotyped: Mullets, comb-overs, mohawks, long, short, parted in the middle, parted on the side, straight, curly, clean, neat, messy, greasy.....these are looks that people see and with them try to assume your age, lifestyle, job, music taste, intelligence, marital status, sexual preference, and on and on. Take those "haired" folks and shave it all off, and people no longer know how to read them or what category to put them in.
I don't think it changes individuality. I know I am not defined by my hair or lack thereof.
I do believe it takes quite a strong individual to initially shave it off :) So I may say it takes MORE of an individual when its his first time. After shaving it though, its pretty easy to keep it that way...haha.
The military has done countless studies the subject of hair's association to identity. Based on my interpretation of how I heard those studies, I believe a person choosing a hair style is an extension of his/her identity and when that choice is not there the person will lose some identity. So if a person chooses to shave their head, it makes them more individualistic, if they had no say in the decision it is a loss of identity.
since we're talking appearance here: my next 'feat' will be to start wearing a kilt ;D (not kidding, I'll do it at least semi-regularly) I think either a shaved head or long hair goes very well with that.
I'm not scottish, I just think kilts are awesome. :)
Thanks to everyone for their input! You guys rock! This site rocks! Bald people rock!You mean we all rock!! :) ;)
:) ;) :D ;D
Do you think shaving your head makes you more or less of an individual?
Maybe Vash will chime in on this topic. He's one of our kilt wearing bald guys.
http://www.myspace.com/v45h0n (http://www.myspace.com/v45h0n)
Great post Vash!
I would like to add that I think if you choose to make you an individual by shaving your head, then it will.
all the girls seem to love me. I get more hugs and kisses on the check than all you combined....
I get more hugs and kisses on the check than all you combined..
It's been a while since anyone has said anything to me about it but I used to get comments that I looked meaner with a shaved head.
people always think I'm mean until I start talking.
people always think I'm mean until I start talking.
HHhhhmmm.....people seem to like me until I start talking ???
I get more hugs and kisses on the check than all you combined..
I don't know.........my one year old daughter sure kisses and hugs me a lot!
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpic18.picturetrail.com%2FVOL874%2F4141473%2F14272549%2F220517472.jpg&hash=c573193eb828fdf77d5fc532bebff5778104a72e)
I love being bald. Generally ,I get more respect now then when my hair was long, and I get a lot more attention from the fairer sex. But the assumption that I get put upon me that I can't stand, which comes from people with different ethnic backgrounds than I, is that I'm a skinhead . I'm not a racist. I only hate stupid people, of any race including my own.
I love being bald. Generally ,I get more respect now then when my hair was long, and I get a lot more attention from the fairer sex. But the assumption that I get put upon me that I can't stand, which comes from people with different ethnic backgrounds than I, is that I'm a skinhead . I'm not a racist. I only hate stupid people, of any race including my own.
I love being bald. Generally ,I get more respect now then when my hair was long, and I get a lot more attention from the fairer sex. But the assumption that I get put upon me that I can't stand, which comes from people with different ethnic backgrounds than I, is that I'm a skinhead . I'm not a racist. I only hate stupid people, of any race including my own.
As alternative athletes begin to replace the mold, I definitly hope the old stigma of the SkinHeads can just fade out.
As alternative athletes begin to replace the mold, I definitly hope the old stigma of the SkinHeads can just fade out.
I thought it already had. I've never had that reaction from anyone. Nor can I ever remember seeing an actual skinhead in person. The only ones I've ever seen have been in the movies and on TV. Those of you who have been mistaken for skinheads -- where do you live? Maybe it is a regional thing?
As an aside, people from multi-ethnic backgrounds are more and more common nowadays and it's not always easy to tell the ethnicity of a guy who shaves his head. Nobody's ever going to mistake me for anything other than a white guy, but if you hadn't said something about being a minority, Mr. Clean, I wouldn't have known and actually would not have even thought about it.
The one thing I notice is that some of the younger, fit guys get looked at like they are one of the ultimate fighter guys...I think that is the only stigma left these days - shaved head = fighter or if you are bulky = bouncer/security.
Clay, with my kisser... it's either "hard" or "really pissed off"! >:(
I work hard to make my self smile and be the first to "break the ice". :*))
i knew i was making the right decision even as i was shaving it for the first time, but joining this site and hearing your stories has cinched it for me.
Quotei knew i was making the right decision even as i was shaving it for the first time, but joining this site and hearing your stories has cinched it for me.
Me too Notorious, this site definitely cinched it for me!
As alternative athletes begin to replace the mold, I definitly hope the old stigma of the SkinHeads can just fade out.
I thought it already had. I've never had that reaction from anyone. Nor can I ever remember seeing an actual skinhead in person. The only ones I've ever seen have been in the movies and on TV. Those of you who have been mistaken for skinheads -- where do you live? Maybe it is a regional thing?
As an aside, people from multi-ethnic backgrounds are more and more common nowadays and it's not always easy to tell the ethnicity of a guy who shaves his head. Nobody's ever going to mistake me for anything other than a white guy, but if you hadn't said something about being a minority, Mr. Clean, I wouldn't have known and actually would not have even thought about it.
I live in michiana (northern indiana/lower Michigan) Unfortunately there are real skin heads around here and I have had some of theme approach me thinking I was one of them.
welcome to SBG's Bald freak..post up an introduction post when ya can so we can give you an official welcome O0